Lakes of all sizes are sensitive to local water and pollution management strategies. Excess nutrients in lakes can induce a series of unexpected consequences for water quality or greenhouse gas emissions. Based on previously collected data from over 8000 lakes across six continents, Chen et al. compiled a global estimate of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in lakes. These trace nutrients have intertwined fates in lakes, often related to morphological and climatic factors that change over time. Perturbations of climate or land use by humans will therefore have wide-ranging effects on biogeochemical cycling of nutrients within lakes across the globe.